Mobile Technician Shortage: Is it the Cause or the Effect?

I’ve spent the past two years of my life as a Launch and Field Trainer, living, breathing, eating, and sleeping Mobile Service 24/7. Given Mobile Service is still in its infancy, I would consider those two years as Dog years.
 
In my travels, I encountered many “reasons” why some Dealers are not successful. Number one cited among them is “lack of Technicians.”
 
Now, we all know that the Tech shortage is a legit issue. As I examined this epidemic, a curious realization emerged. Most Dealers do not have difficulty attracting their FIRST Mobile Service Technician. A shiny new Mobile Service unit, all the tools a Tech would ever need and the opportunity to "go where no man (or woman) has gone before" equate to irresistible fanfare.

Well, fast forward a month or two into the honeymoon and a (not so) funny thing happens.  Suddenly, inexplicably, the Tech becomes disenchanted and departs - often without giving notice. This is a head scratcher for the Service Manager, who moves forward with the same M/O and the cycle repeats itself, each successive Tech hire becoming more difficult. Worst case, Mobile Service becomes radioactive to the Dealer, there are no Techs to be found and weeds start to grow up around the wheels.
 
Now, we can talk about Technician recruiting methodology, effective pay plans, retention strategies and the like. They are all critical as well. In fact, they are SO important I will address them in near future articles. But for now, let’s cut to the quick and get to the big reveal. 
A major reason why Dealers struggle to keep Technicians is because they have an inefficient Mobile Service appointment system.

Recently, a veteran Tech confided in me that he enjoyed his short tenure as his Dealer’s original Mobile Service Tech, but his appointment count was too erratic and they were not grouped geographically. This caused his daily production to fluctuate wildly. He couldn’t handle the uncertainty and stress, so he went back on the line in the shop. Regardless of compensation, flat rate and hourly clock Technicians likewise are affected, as low production leads to disenchantment with the position.

 It is the absolute duty of the Dealer to provide for the Technician a daily schedule that is full of appointments clustered geographically with the route optimized for efficiency. If the Dealer cannot provide this, it will demoralize ANY Tech they put behind the wheel.

Here is the solution.

BRACE FOR THE SALES PITCH:  When we founded Next>Level, Job #1 was to find or develop a Mobile Service appointment system that will cluster service appointments by geographic area and optimize the route within that area. So, we designed, developed, and deployed our own. We are very proud to say GEO>TECH checks ALL the boxes. I invite any Dealer who is serious about Mobile Service efficiency and sustainability to contact us at go@mobilenextlevel.com Let’s put Mobile in Motion and GO Next>Level.